For Immediate Release: November 20, 2004
Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6800

Binghamton men's basketball beats Sam Houston State 57-44 for first win
Bearcats place third at Marquette Blue & Gold Classic

Box score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - In a battle for nickname bragging rights, the Bearcats of Binghamton (1-2) defeated the Bearkats of Sam Houston State (1-3) 57-44 in the consolation game of the Marquette Blue & Gold Classic, Saturday night from the Bradley Center. The win, BU's first of the season, was earned on the glass, where the Bearcats owned a wide 54-27 advantage.

Senior center Alex Adediran (Covington, Ga.) scored 11 points in the first half, staking Binghamton to a 31-22 margin, and classmate Nick Billings (Kodiak, Alaska) continued the frontcourt production in the second half. Billings wound up with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Sebastian Hermenier (Rockville, Md.) continued his all-around play with eight rebounds, four points and two steals.

"We did a great job on defense tonight," head coach Al Walker said. "It was incredible how well we rebounded and kept them off the offensive glass. This was almost a must-win situation and we sustained a high energy level for 40 minutes to get it done."

Junior guard Andre Heard (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored a game-high 14 points and chipped in six rebounds and three assists in 40 minutes. Sophomore guard Troy Hailey (Hyattsville, Md.) added eight points and eight rebounds.

Walker praised his senior big men, who had struggled in BU's first two games.

"It was the first game that both big guys stepped up. Alex was able to establish low-post position and go up strong. And Nick was more energetic. I'm pleased to see him break out of his mini-slump. It was a huge lift for us."

After missing seven of the team's first nine shots to open the game, BU started to catch fire - first outside and then inside. Heard and Hailey combined for 10 of Binghamton's first 12 points and the Bearcats forged a 21-19 lead with 5:44 to play in the first period. That's when Adediran took over. The 6-foot-8 post player scored eight straight points in a 2:11 span to stretch BU's margin to nine at the break.

In the second half, Sam Houston State trimmed the deficit to seven, 44-37, with 8:31 remaining before Billings gave the team a boost with an offensive board and jam and a rebound and short jumper - the latter bumping the lead back up to 13 points. Five free throws in the final 1:11 kept the margin in double figures.

Binghamton will host Hofstra in the team's home opener at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 27.